An Invitation Unlike Any Other | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series)

I'm not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto

salvation and I praise God. That you are not ashamed to

speak and declare the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

The blood still has power. Amen.

Meet me in the gospel. I invite you into the gospel of

Mark, chapter 1, as we continue our study through this, Amazing

Mark 1 · chapter mention

book. The centralizes, the person of

Jesus Christ. And meet me in particular, the

verse of chapter one found in 16.

Where we are told. Passing alongside the Sea of

Galilee. He saw Simon and Andrew.

The brother of Simon casting a net into the sea for they were

fishermen and Jesus said to them, follow me and I will make

you become Fishers of Men and immediately they left their Nets

and followed him going on a little farther.

He saw James, the son of Zebedee and John his brother who are in

their boat, mending the Nets. And immediately he called them

and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the

hired servants and followed him. Follow me and I will make you

become Fishers of Men. These were the words that for

ordinary men heard on a seemingly Ordinary Day from an

extraordinary, man. This invitation from Jesus who

was preaching in Galilee, as we heard last week.

For some time, would not only change the lives of these

galileans but would actually change the course of history.

It's important to know that this moment between the rabbi from

Nazareth. And these fisherman was not the

first interaction that they had. This is not the first time that

they saw each other even conversed with one.

Another because we know from John chapter 1 and verse 35 to

John 1 · chapter mention

42, you do not have to turn there.

We see that Andrew was in fact, before a disciple of Jesus, a

disciple of the Baptist, John the Baptist.

And there was a day where John the Baptist who had some of his

disciples before him saw Jesus and pointed to him, it says

Behold the Lamb of God and upon hearing that Andrew with great

excitement and eagerness and curiosity follows, the one that

John pointed to and asks this Jesus.

If he could spend the night or rather, where he was staying,

and Jesus extends the invitation to him in this unnamed disciple

with him to be with him for the rest of the night.

And it was the next day, whatever happened that night is

veiled to us, but it was enough for Andrew to be convinced.

This is indeed the Messiah. This is indeed, the one, the

prophets, spoke of. And so, he burst with joy and

runs first out of everybody. He knew to his brother Simon.

He comes to Simon and he says, Simon the long-awaited Christ.

The Messiah has indeed. Come.

Let me show you who he is. And Peter follows his brother

Andrew and he encounters Christ himself and Christ with great

Authority changes, his very name.

And so between that time and these verses before us today, we

are not sure the span, but one thing is for certain, it

couldn't be too too long. When you consider the total

duration of Jesus ministry, And why is it important to consider

these details? Because as you, and I see Jesus

approaching these pairs of Brothers, he is not coming to

them as a stranger that they've never seen before or heard

before and calling them to conversion.

And you and his brother already recognize his messiahship early

on. But what Jesus is doing when he

comes to them, is that he is extending an opportunity to

these men to embark on a journey.

That would support a Heavenly cause essentially, he is

inviting them into full-time Ministry.

Now, last week, you and I heard the message that Jesus preached

when he went to Galilee and saying repent and believe, but

while he was in Galilee, Jesus also commissioned a handful of

men so that they would serve a particular purpose for the glory

of his name and we should be grateful to God for a portion of

scripture. Like this, because it provides

us some insights into the mind of God and how, and what he

looks for when he does recruit men.

And women to his service, this will really be exciting for

those who are eager to be of use to the master and that work that

God has for each of us, may differ certainly.

But despite the differences, the standard by which he calls us

into his work, is the same. He has the same standard and

that's what we will learn today. That's what we will see today.

We may not know the long-term or the complete scope of the work

that God has ordained for every single one of us.

But we will see from these verses that we can be

positioned. We can do something on our part

to be prepared vessels. So that if and when the Lord

Jesus, who is alive today, seeks to recruit servants and position

them in a certain matter. We would be ready.

We would be ready. And I encourage you to learn by

leaning into here and absorb the following thoughts about how

Jesus Christ thinks and his ways.

Who did he call? I mean, what kind of people does

he call, how does he call, how does he call men and women

today? And to, what does he call us

for? What is the direction that he

has, in mind for his servants? For those who would answer the

call of discipleship, and make the priority of their existence

to do, what Jesus calls him to do.

Number one, who does Jesus call? It is common knowledge among

Christians that he goes for the lowly.

He goes to those who don't have a standard or rather a standing

in society, those who lack credentials those who are not

praised and acknowledged among the world.

And that is certainly true. You don't really see Jesus in

the gospels going to Pharisees seminaries and asking for

resumes, you don't see him exclusively looking for the

elite or Roman officials. Be part of his Evangelistic

team, Jesus. And this text goes toward

uneducated, unnamed, fisherman From Galilee.

That doesn't mean that he does not use men in great standings,

that doesn't mean that he doesn't look for people who may

have powerful influence in society.

I mean, look at Paul, but it does mean.

Would it Comforts us to learn is that he does?

Indeed come to those, that the world would Overlook.

But here's the mistake, a lot of Christians make with that

wonderful truth of the grace of God that he does.

Is scooped up the lowly of the world so that he can exalt them

so that he would be exalted to believe that.

And make the mistake that he has no qualifications of mine would

be, but we brung and the Very description of Mark, by the

spirit about these brothers gives us the clear indication

that Jesus looks for something. He sees something that attracts

him. To call.

What do you see here from these verses?

Take note how these men were found working.

They were found actively engage in some kind of business.

They were not laying on the sea shore of Galilee soaking up the

sun, 10 days in a row because they had no responsibilities in

life. These men were busy with their

hands. These men were, they were doing

some important tasks. They were faithful, they were

diligent, they were trying to feed their families and try to

build a future for themselves. And for those that they love, I

challenge you to go to this book from cover to cover and make an

intentional study of how men and women were found when God

intervened in their lives and called To a special purpose,

what you will discover. A majority of the time is that

God finds his men and Records them doing something so Moses

and David were shepherds. Elijah had an ox business.

Amos took care of sycamore trees and you see example, after

example, of different men, do the work very doing something,

when the Lord found them because because Jesus is not interested

in those who are slothful and those who are not faithful to

what They've been given in the moment.

Jesus looks for those because his work requires diligence and

energetic effort. And so he tries to find those

with the same ambition, and whatever toil they are engaged

with today. He comes to these men and he

sees them working. That's what he says.

And if we're tempted to think that God doesn't honor this kind

of attitude, then look at how specific Mark is and verse 16.

He saw Simon, and Andrew. The brother of Simon casting a

net into the sea. Then you come down to verse 18,

He Saw James, the son of Zebedee and John his brother who were in

The Boat, mending the Nets. Why does that matter?

I believe there is reason the casting, the casting of the net,

speaks of effort and The Mending of the net speaks of faithful

stewardship. They were taking care of

something that was perhaps broken, something that needed to

be clean something that needed to be ready and prepared for the

next day and both activities. The casting and The Mending

required. Great, patience, great, great

patience. Fishing was hard work.

Remember when Peter with his boys, they fished all night and

they couldn't catch. I think it was difficult.

It was demanding. And the patients and fishing.

Oh, surely that was a trait that Jesus was looking for.

Because if you want to, I'm talking to those who want to

serve God, if you want to serve him with longevity, you need

endurance, you need to endure. It is not always roses, there's

not always peaches and cream. There are challenges, there are

difficulties, there are obstacles.

There are things that will try to resist you.

And this thought should not overwhelm us.

Because, as I read these verses and I realize that Jesus saw, he

saw Andrew and Simon. He saw James and John, I asked

my own Heart Lord. What do you see right now in me?

What do you see in the activity that I'm engaged with on a

consistent basis? Do you see that Zeal?

Do you see that consistency? Do you see a man who gives up so

easily when it gets hard? What do you see in me?

And again this is not to Heap burden, this is actually

something exciting because what the Lord looks for is

Credentials. Is it looking for a pedigree

wasn't looking for degrees? He was in the wrong place.

If he was doing that, what he was looking for is simple and

achievable character. Just these men who knew how to

get some callus on their hands, and who did their work right

faithfully. And I thought to myself how true

this is across the board with God's servants.

One of my favorite scriptures that have changed my life and

how to view Ministry is with Jeremiah in Jeremiah chapter 12.

Jeremiah 12 · chapter mention

Verse 5, I want you to hear these words after Jeremiah,

after a few verses complains, he complains and complains about

the great evils and the wickedness.

And the challenges he was experiencing A prophet, God

breaks the silence and he speaks and he answers to his man and he

says in chapter 12 verse 5. If you have raced with men on

foot, And they have wearied you. How will you compete with

horses? And if in a safe land you are so

trusting. What will you do in the thicket

of the Jordan? This is what he is saying,

Jeremiah is weariness. Not the weariness that we know

the weariness that causes murmuring and and perhaps doubt

about God and his service. Those trials that came with his

work in serving God, as a prophet were an indication that

he was not prepared for the challenges ahead.

And God was telling him that you're not going to be able to

last in this Jeremiah if you can't handle it.

Now, if you can't see that, you need to be able To put your

hands to the plow and not look back.

Now, you will indeed turn back at one point and so, he calls

Jeremiah to hold on. He called, Jeremiah not to give

up and Andrew, and his brother Peter, we're such men, at least

we see him in a good light here. You compare it to Luke Chapter

Luke 5 · chapter mention

5, as I said earlier, Jesus comes to them at another time

and there they are tired and Bone weary because they went all

night fishing and nothing was caught and Jesus steps into

Peters boat. He says could you push this out

a little bit? And he does.

And after that, he says, why don't you throw your net on this

side? And Peter says, Master, we have

toiled all night but because you said I will do it.

I'm paraphrasing. And that is that is the heart of

these men. Even though I am dejected and

disappointed Lord, I will still do what you tell me to do.

I'll still go where you, your call me to go and that doesn't

require a colossal intellect. That doesn't require some kind

of impressive resume that just requires a heart.

That's willing to say yes to anything that the master says

yes do. And this is who Jesus found in

and this is what he looks for Shirley.

And if we think that this is just taking too much out of a

small text and just study the ways of God throughout the Bible

and it will confirm the conclusion.

I am making to you. Here's a second Point notice

that they were not just engage at a certain work, notice that

they were engaged in a certain work with certain people.

They were a team Simon with his brother, Andrew, casting the

net, and then you have the other team, James, and John, and the

same boat trying to fix something amend it.

And I don't think that's an insignificant detail because

there's suggestion there and the suggestion is so simple and

clear. That in order for you and I to

enter any service to Jesus Christ, we must be willing to

serve them alongside those who also want to serve him.

Christ and his disciples ship program requires us to cooperate

with those who are also sold out to the same cause He saw these

men working together. And as they were working

together and fishing Christ, saw a great potential for them to

serve and fishing for Souls. That is something that many

people don't think about. But if you're going to serve

Jesus Christ, you're going to serve them with some different

kind of people with unique personalities and different

weaknesses, and it's going to require some adjustment on your

part, in mind, in order to move forward in the program of God

for our lives. I mean, if you have any doubt

that these guys had different personalities then realized

later on in Mark, James and John are called the sons of thunder

for what reason. I'm sure there is something

about the personality. They earned that nickname, the

sons of thunder here. Okay, what's up now, Peter?

I mean, the Bible is not shy to disclose that.

He had his own quirks that he was somewhat influential with

his personality that when he said to do something, many

people fall is all right. Peter said, let's go and to

think that these men walked around with halos, Three years.

Without any Clash is wrong. Remember?

We just get one little snippet, that more than once.

They were arguing with each other.

Who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God?

And it breaks my heart to see people who Express a desire to

serve Christ who have great gifting evil even.

But they do not have any interest or any desire to submit

to the local church. And to serve god with the church

that he has, providentially led them to can a hand operate

without being connected to the body.

You and I know the obvious answer to that.

And what we have to understand is that these men here in their

in their Earthly business would be able to translate beautifully

into their spiritual service because we do not see Envy here.

We do not see troublemaking here.

We do not see insecurity here. Even when Peter had that

miraculous catch he was on ashamed to ask the others and

other boats to come and help. And Luke chapter 5.

Luke 5 · chapter mention

And, unfortunately, many people who stunt their growth, right?

And who can't move forward, because of the very things I

just mentioned, they are insecure.

They see other people as competitors, who are serving the

same cause, and the same Kingdom.

You cannot know, discipleship, long-term if you have those

things in your heart, but also, if you and I, if you and I are

willing to partner with those that God brings us with and to

serve those who God brings before us, then we will

certainly be Christ. Honoring disciples.

Jesus wants members of a body, he doesn't want separate

members. He wants a connected body to do

his work. He calls these kind of men,

these kind of woman, based on what we see here, though, there

are many other truths that are included.

How does he call though? How does he call the text before

us? We see, first of all, that he is

the one who initiates the invitation.

These brothers didn't see Jesus, stop what they're doing and

saying Jesus, we want to be here disciples.

We want to be a part of your immediate Evangelistic team.

We want to actually be Apostles of that position is still

available. Nothing of the sort, Jesus looks

to them, he says to them, follow me and I will make you become

Fishers of Men. And upon that invitation, they

leave their jobs, they leave their families and they abandon

all for this cause and it would be extremely wrong to look at a

narrative, text like this, and then, apply that as a standard

for all people, if they want to be serious disciples.

What do I mean by that? Just because these men left

their jobs and their families doesn't mean you have to does it

mean I have to We have to consider the entirety of

scripture to realize how God works in our lives, as we seek

to serve him as we seek to follow him, where he would want

us to follow him. And when we understand that God

has an assignment for each of us and that will look different for

each of us, then we can be comforted to know that.

All I have to do is be willing to let go of anything.

And that is enough for God. This is one of the verses that

on top of the verse I mentioned earlier has comforted me and

still comforts me today. It stabilizes my soul in the

context of serving him. Paul gives a wonderful truth to

these believers who had many questions about what should

change after they got saved. And he gives us direct

instruction to them that applies to all churches.

And First Corinthians, I encourage you to try to turn

their in your Bibles in chapter 7 and First Corinthians 7 17.

Notice what the Apostle says to these Corinthian Christians.

Verse 17. Only let each person lead the

life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has

called them. This is my rule in all the

churches, what? A beautiful command, the

Corinthian Church was made up of different.

Believers, you had some who had different spiritual gifts, you

have others who had different social statuses.

You have others who had different relationship.

Dynamic somewhere single summer Widow.

Some were married to unbelievers some wanted to get married.

And with all those differences before Paul and his writing, he

wants to encourage every person then.

And now whether they are single married, slave or free, there's

a matter where you're at that. You can in that very Place seek

to honor God, don't be pressured to change and don't be frantic

to change if you don't have Clarity for the next step.

Just let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned

to him. And this is one of the strongest

verses that encourages us as Believers God, indeed has

assigned a certain way of life for all of us.

He has an ordained purpose set before he turned in past that

you would explore, and discover step-by-step.

And so, we should be comforted by that truth.

And I think this is especially important.

Because in the context, these Corinthian Christians were

saved. They receive conversion, but at

the same time, when they realize that they were safe, they want

to know what else needs to change in my life. and, How do

we need to be circumcised or not circumcised?

Do I need to uncircumcised? I'm circumcised.

Do I need to be married out? What do I do now?

What do I do? And I can't help but think that

that is so often true, especially with the person who

is first Saved, when they first come to Christ, there is almost

in this desire to want to honor God and totality to know, it

will kill or where do I go from now, what do I need to do?

And to become frantic, they become frantic and that's not

just true for the believer at first, that's true for the

mature believer, who was constantly wanting Serve God and

to fulfill the assignment that he has set for them and so, you

know what happens, you get Christians that get Frankton.

Well, do I need to quit my job? I think I need to quit my job.

I don't think I'm glorifying God in my job.

I don't know where I'm gonna go, but I think I just need to quit

my job. I think I got to spice things up

a little bit. Think the Lord wants me to do?

Do something faithful to him and radical?

Well, relax. Well okay, well maybe I need to

move out of state because maybe they would be better if I go

there. If I do this, if I go, if I move

over there really is, sell everything.

Just give it away. I don't know what I'm going to

do, but I'm just going to sell And and they're scared to even

take any of those steps because they don't have any Clarity from

God. And then what you have is

Christians for weeks and months living in some kind of a torment

that they're not really serving God and the something changes,

something radical happens. And good-hearted children of God

are frustrated. Because they want to.

They want to fulfill something. They have an urge for it, but

they don't know what to do. Look down in verse 24 of the

same chapter. So Brothers in whatever

condition each was called there, let him remain with God.

In whatever condition each was called there.

Let him remain with God. He is now reinstating.

What he said back in verse 17 with a beautiful point to enrich

the encouragement, we should remain in whatever circumstance

Divine Providence has led us into and in that place with

those circumstances honor God. Honor.

God look at verse 19 at the end of it for neither circumcision

counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but keeping the

Commandments of God. You may not know what needs to

change at this time. You may not know next step, but

one thing you can do and all that God is looking for, is that

in the place that you are in right now, just obey him just

obey him. Obey him to the capacity in

which he has given you obeying with the context that you are in

just seek to obey him. And this is so encouraging.

You know why? Because it says their let him

remain with who with God. God is with you.

And as unsatisfied as you might be where you are as though, you

may have these Desires in these, these prayers that don't seem to

be answered as quickly as you would.

Like, the thing that you can be comforted by, is that where you

are right now? God is with you.

And you can, no matter your status and relationship.

No matter the job that you have. You can write their fellowship

with God. He is with you.

You can know him, you can enjoy him.

You can worship Him. You can receive from him, you

can grow in him. You were there with God and you

can stay there and honor. God, how does this all tie in?

Well, this is what I'm trying to say.

Be comforted be comforted to know that God actually will call

us when he wants us to call. Less, but until then, you are

called to stay in the station that he is.

Providentially put you in. And so let that burden roll off

your back and realize that when the next step will come, it will

be so clear. Just like, with these disciples.

Jesus makes it so clear. Follow me and I will make you

Fishers of Men. And when that called us come,

whether it is through his word where we know what we're

supposed to do, in the context that were in or when there is

Manifest direction, that is Supernatural in your life, there

is an appropriate response and it is exemplified by these men.

Each element is with each pair Brothers.

The first one comes with Andrew and Peter.

We're told in verse 18 immediately, Immediately, they

left their Nets and followed him.

That is a word that Mark loves to use immediately.

No, hesitation, no second thought, That their history,

their business, the dreams with their business, would even come

close to competing with what Christ would want them to do.

They dropped everything in that moment, the charge of Christ,

whether it is revealed through his word or whether it is again,

a manifest Direction, it deserved Swift surrender.

I will surrender. Lord, and this is again, why am

I saying this? This is the Posh of the heart

that makes us recruitable for God's service.

He wants to know that you hold things in life loosely.

And that if he says go, you will go and you will drop it and you

will go where he wants us to go. And listen, I know that sounds

like a radical thing that's unique to certain people, but it

is still something that you and I can experience in this life.

Remember, when I was working in advertising and I knew God had

revealed in so many ways, you're going to be doing Ministry and

there were so many opportunities for jobs in the advertising

industry and somebody who had a good heart recommended to me.

Well why don't you just do that and do that part-time?

But I knew it wasn't that it had to be full-time Ministry and so

I looked Somebody in the eyes who offered me, a great job at a

young age. It's, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Many people have testimonies like that and that is what is

trying to be said through the example of these men.

That immediately you're willing to leave, whatever Jesus calls

you to lead. But look at the other facet, the

emphasis with Andrew and Peter is their occupation.

But with James and John, it's with who, it's with

relationship. They left though, they left our

occupation. They left and walk away from

their beloved father Zebedee. And he adds a detail.

The Hired servants, The Hired servants, meaning that these

fellow employees were very likely good friends to James and

John that they had memories that they had laughs.

And surely with their own father.

There was Comfort. There was a comfort with

familiarity. There was a safety, there was

close proximity with someone that you, you obviously love and

care for, and they care for you. And yet, we are told that they

left with the same promptness. and so, what is being said, here

that in light of Andrew and Peter, you must leave any

security But in light of James and John, you must be willing to

even pay the price relationally. Relationally.

You know, there are many people who cannot truly pay the price

of discipleship because they just love the friends too much.

They just love their family too much, and they know that if they

walk in a certain way or do a certain thing in the Name of

Christ, that it will affect the Dynamics of those relationships,

you cannot be a true disciple of.

That is the case. It will cost you even

relationally. It will cost you sometimes to

move locations. It will cost you to have

friction at home because you're standing for truth.

It will cost you something. And Jesus still has a reward for

them, even Peter later on in Mark, you know what he says.

After the Rich Young Ruler did the opposite of him and the

opposite of the other disciples. He says, in Mark 10:28 Peter

Mark 10:28

began to say to him. See we have left everything and

followed you. We have left everything and

followed you. And this is the mark of

discipleship. Not that every person here has

sold everything and has left everything.

But that in your heart, you are willing to give everything that

you are convincing your soul. Oh Lord.

If you say, leave everything. I will leave everything.

And so in true worship, we should be able to look to Christ

and say, see I'm willing to leave everything.

See, my heart is detached from everything your call on.

My life has Superior value over all things.

That is discipleship. Let me add one more thing to

this point about how Jesus calls us.

It was not just the response of the disciples that was immediate

notice that the call was sudden. we see in verse 20 that the Lord

immediately he went to James and John immediately when Jesus

calls us Okay. After the Revelation that you

have believed in that, he is the Messiah.

He is Lord, he is savior. But throughout our walk with the

Lord, when he calls you and I to a certain work, let me give you

a heads-up. He tends to do it with

interruption. In other words, it is never

convenient, to answer the call to serve, Jesus Christ to the

flesh. There's never time at

Fletcher's, I think now is a good time that I'm an honor

Jesus Christ in a particular way, never.

He doesn't when they're busy, he doesn't while they're working.

He does it while they're with family, he comes and he says,

follow me. Now, there's no negotiation.

Others have tried to do that down the road.

I didn't work out well for them. So no this the price and serving

Christ is that it will call us at inconvenient times.

That it will demand young person, the prime of your life.

You can't delay serving the lord.

That was my mentality growing up in the church as though.

Jesus was waiting for me. You know it Lord.

I'll wait till I'm 30. 30 something and then I'll get

serious about you. That is not how discipleship

works. You see Christ here teaching us

that it has never committed for the flesh to follow him.

Serving him is not an addition to your life seeking.

To be a disciple of Christ is not a piece of the pie of your

existence. It's the whole pie, it overrides

all things, it becomes the very reason where everything orbits

around that Central. Cause Jesus Christ, wherever

you, tell me to go, whatever you tell me to do, I will do it.

This is what he is looking for these disciples gave it.

This is how he calls. He expects immediate obedience

in the joy of immediate obedience.

Let me tell you. This Christ will forgive you

time, doesn't time. Doesn't forgive you.

And the more we delay in obedience, all were doing is

robbing ourselves of Greater testimonies and experiences of

God in this life. I often tell myself this and I

tell others from time to time, there is coming a day where you

and I will not be able to glorify Jesus Christ for all of

eternity in heaven. We will glorify Christ certainly

with perfect pitch, would Perfect Resistance to Temptation

because there's no resistance to Temptation.

We will know a type of Glory. And we will give a type of Glory

that will be unique and enduring.

At the same time, there is a way in which we can glorify Christ.

Now that we can't and Heaven, Can you say no to Temptation in

heaven? Can you die to self and have it?

How can you do that? You're gonna have a glorified

body and won't even be a thought.

Will you stand for Christ in heaven?

When the multitudes will not stand for Christ?

No no no. And the list goes on, but in

this life, yes that tells me. I only have one shot of this.

I only have one shot and then I will stand before him and I will

enjoy him and love him but I don't want to look back before I

get and say oh Lord if you just give me more time, I would not

been so foolish. The cost of discipleship, I tell

you this, there's a great across of not being a disciple than it

being a true disciple. What does he call us for?

Where does he call us to? That's the next question though,

the destination of these disciples are unique because

they would be prepared and trained to be apostles who would

lay the foundation of the doctrine of the church.

The principle is still the same. There is a direction.

When God calls us into a certain discipleship, a certain way of

life, notice what he says, follow me and I will make you

become Fishers of Men, I will make you become Fishers of Men,

as we daily, yield to his leadership, the ultimate goal of

the Lord Jesus and calling you my brother and calling you.

My sister is for you to become something that you weren't when

you started. I found you as fissures.

But I'm going to make you become something that I have planned

for you. That is why we should never be

discouraged to think that we are unfit or unworthy.

Are undeserving to be of use to the King of Kings and the Lord

of lords. You know why?

Because his primary motivation and coming to these disciples

was not their ability. Not even their maturity, the

primary motivation of Jesus Christ.

Has I can do something in these men.

I can make them into something I can mold them into something.

Their hearts are in the place where it would give me the

ability to create and me what I want to create rather in them

and then is no different for us. Listen we should without

reservations surrender joyfully to the Lord because he is not

trying to find us in a certain way.

He wants to find us, just willing to say yes and then to

submit to what he has in mind. That which he has ordained for

us. Personally, you know what that

means doesn't matter what your personality defect is, does it

matter what kind of life-altering trauma you had in

the past, he wants to make you into something, he wants you to

become something. So the hesitation to follow

Jesus Christ because of your personal weakness or your

history is irrelevant. Because he's not finding you as

something. He's inviting you to become

something. That's the cost of discipleship

and their and their context, it was to become great Soul winners

in your context, perhaps it will be a great mother.

And we see here that this verse tells us where the power of this

transformation comes, I will make you become, I will the

power comes from him. So what's the fear and following

Christ? What's the worry in seeking to

honor him? I've met people who say I'm just

worried to serve Jesus because I don't know what I will be in the

days to come. I don't know what kind of

mistakes I'll make I know myself.

Well, let me tell you something. The energy and the equipment

that the enablement. Does it come from you?

It comes from him. Oh yeah, if you rely on

yourself? No, thank you.

I'll stick with this. But when the Lord calls you,

when he invites you, he also enables you, he enables you.

And I what is there to resist? How can you even think to

yourself for a moment? I can't, of course, you can't do

it. That's the point.

That's the point. So let this be a true that you

pray back to the Lord. Do you hear me?

Let this be a true that you pray back to the Lord if you infuse

the grace, if you put Truth in these disciples, that transform

these galileans into some people that stunned the world and do

the same in me. Do the same with me.

Lord, I'm no different than these men.

I am weak. I have great, great weakness,

but Lord, if you said, you would make them become something that

all how I long for you to make me into something or someone

change me and you submit to his power day by day by day.

And what's amazing about this is that it's a process as As you

pray that prayer and I pray that you pray it.

As you pray, that prayer realized something very

important. Jesus said, I will make you

become and it was a three-year process.

You didn't wave his hand over them on the show and then they

became apostles. They become wonderful preachers.

Immediately, they become Soul winners right away.

I mean, remember, James and John.

They're about to go through Samaria and they say Jesus.

Can we call down fire from heaven and burned these guys?

These are the men that Jesus called.

I will make you become, it's a process and Christ knows that.

Unfortunately these children don't We get frustrated with

ourselves. We get disappointed.

We throw in the towel. We turn our backs.

And yet Christ is committed. Committed to us for his glory.

And this is what I saw admire about the Lord.

This is what makes me adore him. That I see here with his men, in

the immediate sense that he has a school and there is a

curriculum and he he has step-by-step ready for us to

walk through and knowing Christ and becoming like Christ.

And being fruitful for Christ is not something that happens

overnight. It's something that Jesus has

great patience for Here's an example of just how committed

Christ is. Among many other examples turn

to the Gospel of John very quickly in verse 14.

Excuse me, 14:8. John 14:8.

John 14:8

Philip, one of the disciples. Set to him, Lord, show us the

father and it is enough for us. Look what Jesus says.

Jesus said to him, I've been with you so long and you still

do not know me Philip Whoever has seen me, has seen the

father. How can you say show us the

father. Philip.

With skepticism, perhaps. With doubt.

Says jeez. Can you just show us the father?

Not, that's all we need. We don't need any more proof

about this whole thing and the Lord answered him.

He says, how can you ask that? I've been with you, and you've

been with me for so long. And as I Look to this question,

I realized that Philip after three years, three years of

one-on-one of close proximity to Christ after hearing all those

teachings, after seeing all those Miracles, after being able

to testify, the sinlessness of Christ eating with him and

sleeping in the same tent ISM and traveling with him, has

still not fully comprehend what he should have known at this

point. And by this moment So, we asked

the question. That was, that was inappropriate

for somebody who's been walking with Jesus, for this long.

Show us the father, Christ's sake, you're not do not realize,

I am one with them. Do you not realize that I share

his deity? Do you not realize that if you

see me, you seen a perfect reflection of the character and

the nature of the father. And the point is this is that

when you look at Phillip asking this question how Jesus though

there is a mild rebuke here still gentle, how true is that

of his children today? Who have walked with him for so

long and still can't get some of the basics?

Who still don't understand. Not that the fact that he's God,

but that he is Sovereign over your life.

But he is in control that in these fearful tumultuous times.

He will provide, he will perfect dissing.

You look at these things and you realize that even believers who

sat through years of sermons twice a week old testament, New

Testament conference after conference YouTube sermons in

between still are not convinced of certain things about Christ.

And listen anybody in any teaching, position knows how

heartbreaking that is that after you have hammered certain things

over and over again. It just as though just spilled

out of the other ear and he had Christ here though as a faithful

teacher does gently correct him? He doesn't look if you know I

fill up. I don't even know why I got.

It's been three years submit your resignation, I'll find

somebody else down the road. He's still committed to Philip.

He's still ready to use, Philip. He still has a plan for Phillip,

he doesn't put Phillip on the Shelf.

And I thank God for that. Because there are moments of

doubt and there are moments of Wonder.

And there's there are moments where though, I've read things

and I've heard things that sometimes I've really believed

in other times, I've wondered I can expect the Lord to look at

me and not give up. And not throw me away.

The challenge me. Yes, because of faithful teacher

will. My question is, how can you hold

yourself back from following such a wonderful Master like

this? How can you not give up

everything to follow him? One who will enable you?

And one who will be patient with you and one who will walk with

you until the end. Who is so committed to you?

and I for his glory that even when we are not where we were

supposed to be, And our imitation of him and an

understanding of him. He sticks with us still.

That's Jesus. That's the Lord that you and I

love and worship. so in this brief brief message, you have an

idea, at least of who, he calls, how he calls to what he calls

you and I to Ultimately discipleship is not about doing

certain things. That's that's that's secondary

but becoming becoming who he wants us to become. and then he

is there to do whatever he needs to do to make sure that all he

requires of us as a willingness to yield to that and humble

ourselves, that for that to become more and more of a

reality, Usually, at the end of a message like this, you're

familiar with this. If you come here, consistently

the gospel will go forth, but I'm going to change it.

This time, I want to speak to those who are already have

believed upon that Revelation, that Jesus Christ is, in fact,

the savior of the world. And I want to ask you.

I want to ask you a question. Have you lost your way?

Have you lost your way? In discipleship to Jesus.

What do I mean by that? Have you placed your identity in

something other than what he has for you?

Was there was there a moment where you were?

You were Lord whatever. Yes, but at this point, if

you're honest, you're clutching onto things and you've made them

something greater than what they should be.

Do you love your family more than Christ?

Do you love your friends more than Jesus Christ?

What's amazing about Peter being called?

And though it is so Exemplar, the beginning, you go to the end

of the book of John, you realize he goes back.

Fishing fishing wasn't a sin, fishing isn't a sin and Peters

case. It was backsliding because

Christ call them to turn away from it.

And he goes back to when he didn't have answers for the next

step. And when he was wallowing in his

shame, And yet, Jesus, because people question whether Peter

was doing the wrong thing, when he went back to fishing with his

boys, all you have to do is come to the end of that chapter and

realize that when Jesus restores Peter he looks at me.

And he finally says, follow me. Well, if he was following him

all the way along, and why would he say that?

It's because he lost his way. He lost his way and Jesus is

calling him to recommit himself to complete and total

discipleship. And I want to tell you this,

that one of the tragedies, one of the tragedies of the

Christian Life is that you see people who are once following

Jesus and they still hold onto the revelation of who he is.

Peter didn't deny the fact that Jesus was alive.

Peter didn't deny the fact that Jesus was in fact, he said he

was Peter just deviated from the purpose that God had called them

to. And some of you might have done

that. Here's what I'm calling you to

do. I'm calling, I'm actually

calling you discern action. I'm calling you to certain

action in your own heart. That today perhaps the busyness

of Life. All these different things have

crashed into your soul. And where you are today,

whatever God has called you to do.

Whether that is church-affiliated Ministry or

not, you don't have that Zeal, you don't have dedication,

you're kind of just floating through life and you could care

less really? You could care less Or perhaps,

again, as I said earlier, the thought of Christ calling you to

do something, surrender, to something, give up.

Something is terrifying. Or perhaps you were so

discouraged with a failure or pass failure that you cannot

imagine ever being used by God again.

And though he extends his hand, you push his hand away and say

I'm not worthy, that is trusting in your own flesh in your own

ability. I'm calling you to follow Jesus

again. What I mean by that is not

giving your life to him and salvation but willing to set

your life up in your soul and your heart to say Lord, I am

yours, whatever. You say, whatever you do, I want

to do it. I want to do it.

You'd be amazed to know how many Christians are not there.

But the same Jesus who restored a Peter after up here, after so

many years, so many preaching, so many teachings.

So many miracles was still willing to restore him.

Say, follow me, follow me. I've seen fathers and mothers

who are burning for Christ before they had children.

And after they had children and after difficulty in marriage and

after all these things, they stop.

They stop going to church. They stop serving Christ in

Ministry, but in their later years in life, they heard Jesus

saying. Again, follow me.

You once follow me, follow me again and it brought Revival to

their home. Many people in this life are in

transitional moments. You're figuring out who to

marry. You are getting married.

You're getting yourself established.

And with all of that some way somehow the cause of Christ, in

your heart, the Zeal to serve him has been buried.

Jesus wants you to get married? Yes, he wants you to walk in

that way. He wants to be responsible, but

is the priority of your life? Still, the purpose that he has

for you. Whatever that looks like.

I hope you would answer this. Call of Christ who gently says

follow me again. Lord, we ask you today in the

Sunday service that is. We've heard this call to

discipleship that we would re reinforce our commitment to the

cause For some that is Ministry for others, that is simply just

being mindful of you and what we do whether that's business,

whether that's family. Raising children are raising

funds, Well, we know that the universal call Salvation is the

same repent and believe but we also know that each of us in

here have a particular assignment. some know that

assignment Lord, some don't but we just want to tell you this

afternoon, Lord, whatever you say, we do whatever you want, we

will give Reignite, our hearts. Pull our affections.

And help us realize that you are inviting us into something.

Unlike any other thing. And so, Lord, even for those who

have been following you over these years, we want to just

take this time to worship you. And tell you a fresh Lord, you

are worthy. You are worthy of my life.

Being Live For Your Glory. Whatever that looks like we want

to follow you in Jesus name. Amen.